As hunters, we understand the importance of weather and the impact it has on our hunting success. We are constantly checking the winds, temperature and future forecasts for upcoming storms in an attempt to calculate a plan that will result in us successfully outsmarting the game we are pursuing.

The issue with weather lies in the fact that is as unpredictable as the animals we are chasing. There is no guarantee, it can change without warning and, without proper preparation and gear, can end a hunt before it begins. When it comes to hunting, I take pride in battling the elements, hunting where no one else will go as well as when no one else is willing to be in the field. In order do that, I rely heavily on my Sitka Gear.

Sitka Gear was engineered to change the way we hunt. Using the highest quality and most innovative materials from Gore they have consistently developed gear that enables hunters to push the envelope on what is possible while remaining comfortable during some of the most challenging circumstances.

I had built my system around hunting whitetail in Pennsylvania and western big game. My system allows me to dress light and hike miles into my stand; however, after years of mainly hunting whitetails, I was introduced to waterfowl and it took only one flock of geese to cup into our spread and the words “cut-’em” for me to become completely hooked. While I had experienced success hunting before from the solitary of my tree-stand, this was different. There was an added thrill of comradery and succeeding with your hunting buddies who had endured the elements alongside you in order to be successful. Instantly I wanted to experience more of what waterfowl hunting had to offer. I began spending every chance I could in a blind and as a result, I haven’t stopped since. One thing I realized quickly was that waterfowling is full of new challenges, one in particular was my gear.

Waterfowler’s across the flyways battle weather for months on end. For me, the Pennsylvania season starts the first week of September with warm weather and ends with temps below freezing the last week of February. For most people, cold weather is an undesirable arrival, but for waterfowlers it marks the start of the migration. North winds and freezing temps push birds south producing new opportunities for hunters as well as added challenges. In order to be successful during this time, a waterfowler needs gear that keeps him protected from the elements, warm, dry, comfortable and concealed. What Sitka has developed is a Waterfowl System that when properly layered handles everything mother-nature has to throw at you. Every piece of gear is strategically designed to work together from skin-to-shell from one end of the season to the other.

The foundation of the waterfowl system lies with your base-layers. Offered in light, mid and heavyweight, these are designed with materials such as merino wool and high lofted fleece that manage moisture and provide warmth while you are waiting for the next flock to arrive.

Mid-layers make up the most versatile pieces of the system. These can be used as outer layers during the early season or core insulation layers during the latter part of the year. Developed to retain heat as the temps drop throughout the season, these remain breathable to pull moisture away from the body. These pieces utilize several innovative features such as lofted flex interiors, Primaloft, WINDSTOPPER, DWR (Durable Water Repellent) and Polartec Hardface abrasion technology for added durability in the field.

The final component of the system is the outer-layer. This is arguably the most important layer of the waterfowl system. These are the pants/bibs/waders and jackets that you count on most, and the ones that I personally feel keeps you in the field the longest. Many of these layers feature 100-percent waterproof GORE-TEX® laminate with stretch technology and body map Primaloft insulation. In addition, every outer layer is specifically designed to provide comfort in the field with strategically placed pockets, form-fitted hoods, knee pads and rip stop abrasion material to minimize wear and to protect your investment in the gear.

While all of these pieces were developed to offer comfort and assist you in the field, they also help you disappear. Available in two different patterns, Sitka GORE OPTIFADE Concealment Waterfowl Marsh and Timber were developed to fool a bird’s eye from the sky.

This season my gear has been put to the test. Every hunt seems to offer a new challenge whether it be wind, snow, rain or brutal cold temps. I’ve laid in muddy fields as the rain continued to pour filling up my layout blind, hunted during a whiteout snowstorm and broke ice on a frozen pond. Throughout every hunt my system has kept me warm and comfortable and allowed me to stay in the field longer. With the seasons end approaching, the temperatures will continue to fall and the weather will provide more challenges, however I am confident my Sitka Waterfowl Gear will continue to outperform what Mother Nature throws at me.

My Waterfowl System

Outerwear
Mid-Layer
Base-Layer
- Heavyweight Bottoms
- Core Midweight Zip-T

Samuel Stewart is a sales consultant at EuroOptic. Born in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, he was introduced to the outdoors at a young age by his father and quickly developed a passion for hunting. Over the years this passion continues to grow as Sam constantly is challenging himself to expand his knowledge and improve his tactics in the field.